Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser has said she was “absolutely devastated” and had “no idea” about Origin Energy’s decision to shut down Australia’s largest coal-fired power plant seven years early.

The decision could cost 1000’s jobs and Ms Fraser told Jim Wilson, “The community is still really in mourning”.

“To bring it forward seven years is absolutely diabolical for our community.

“We need actions, investments, jobs plan, we need it now.

“Wheres the confidence in Lake Macquarie?”

Energy Users Association CEO Andrew Richards told Jim Wilson all the planning has to be “dramatically dragged forward” now that the announcement has been made.

The CEO has suggested that there will be a significant jump in power prices now saying, “It wouldn’t be surprising to see it go well above $100”.

“Things could get messy quite quickly.”

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